Shirley MacLaine Joins 'Downton Abbey' Cast

Shirley MacLaine is joining the cast of Downton Abbey, the ITV series that airs in the U.S. on PBS’ Masterpiece Theater and just won the Golden Globe for best miniseries. Our colleagues at TVLine report that MacLaine will play American-born mother of Elizabeth McGovern’s character Lady Grantham. She is set to appear on the third season of the series, which begins production this month. (Season 2 is just wrapping on PBS here.) “My late grandfather directed Shirley MacLaine in Gambit in 1966,” said Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame, “so it is a delight for me that she will be joining us on Downton Abbey.”

Oh, but you’re so wrong, Barnett. SM is brilliant, and absolutely in the tonal wheelhouse of this show – wryly funny one minute and utterly sincere the next. Can’t wait to see this extra layer of fabulousness.

Truthteller • on Jan 30, 2012 12:41 pm

This show only improves with age…I cannot wait to see Maggie Smith & Shirley MacLaine on screen together. Brilliant casting for a brilliant show!

dee123 • on Jan 30, 2012 4:32 pm

Yep! One clash of the titans i wanna see!

Bored by stunt casting • on Jan 30, 2012 1:20 pm

Great. Maybe the BBC can get Warren Beatty to join the cast of Doctor Who.

Bob • on Jan 31, 2012 7:36 am

Now that would be some piece of stunt casting.

“Warren Beatty took an interest in my career at one point.” ~ Courtney Love

mika • on Jan 31, 2012 9:15 am

I see great banters in the future between her character and Maggie Smith’s.
it would be more that interesting, and most likely entertaining